Andry Hernández Romero on surviving CECOT: 'They told us we would die there'
“I want the world to know that being Venezuelan is not a crime,” the gay makeup artist told The Advocate in an exclusive interview.
August 17 2025 8:31 AM
CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Equal Entertainment LLC.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
El Salvador
Inside the movement that freed gay makeup artist Andry Hernández Romero from a hellhole
The U.S. government under Trump tried to disappear a gay Venezuelan man seeking asylum to a torture prison in El Salvador indefinitely. A coalition of Americans didn’t let them.
August 12 2025 6:00 AM
Andry Hernández Romero explains how he survived CECOT after the U.S. government disappeared him
Andry Hernández Romero spoke with The Bulwark's Tim Miller about the torment the U.S. government put him though.
August 08 2025 4:57 PM
Gay makeup artist Andry Hernández Romero describes horrific sexual & physical abuse at CECOT in El Salvador
He called it "an encounter with torture and death."
True
July 24 2025 10:11 AM
Gay asylum seeker Andry Hernández Romero remains in danger, advocates warn
After months in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, the gay makeup artist has been freed, but not returned to safety.
True
July 19 2025 2:43 PM
Ric Grenell’s rogue diplomacy stalls Marco Rubio’s Venezuela prisoner deal
The gay Trump loyalist and special envoy is ruffling feathers in Washington.
July 16 2025 12:25 PM
Andry Hernández Romero’s family desperate for word on gay asylum-seeker who Trump vanished over 100 days ago
Nobody has heard from the young makeup artist since the Trump administration deported him in March.
June 27 2025 4:06 PM
New York’s Ritchie Torres donates to Andry Hernández Romero fund demanding freedom for gay asylum-seeker
The Democratic congressman is using his influence and bank account to call attention to the Venezuelan makeup artist disappeared by Trump to a mega prison in El Salvador.
True
June 11 2025 3:59 PM
Hundreds rallying at Supreme Court demand Trump return disappeared gay asylum-seeker Andry Hernández Romero
They rallied to bring the 31-year-old makeup artist back from CECOT in El Salvador.
June 10 2025 11:21 AM
Gay Guatemalan asylum-seeker deported by Trump by mistake pleads for lifeline in federal court
“I am the smallest version of myself because I have so much more fear, the man told a Massachusetts district court.
May 23 2025 5:44 PM
Supreme Court halts Trump’s deportations of Venezuelan immigrants under Alien Enemies Act
Deporting people this way “surely does not pass muster,” the justices wrote.
May 16 2025 5:13 PM
Trump’s DHS considers reality TV show where immigrants fight for citizenship
Immigrants are being disappeared and their rights defied in court while DHS weighs a game show—and sells citizenship to the rich.
May 16 2025 4:23 PM
Kristi Noem won’t say if gay asylum-seeker deported to El Salvador’s ‘hellhole’ prison is still alive
The Trump Homeland Security secretary wouldn’t consider Rep. Robert Garcia’s request to provide Andry Hernandez Romero’s mom with an update on her son.
True
May 15 2025 4:14 PM
Democratic lawmakers fly to El Salvador and demand action on gay man Trump sent to CECOT prison
The calls for Andry Hernandez Romero's proof of life and wellness are growing.
April 23 2025 1:16 PM
Robert Garcia demands answers in case of gay Venezuelan migrant deported to El Salvador prison
Andry Hernandez Romero fled Venezuela out of fear because of his sexuality. When he got to the U.S., authorities sent him to a hellhole.
April 22 2025 1:28 PM
Pete Buttigieg warns of ‘dangerous moment’ as Trump defies courts and threatens to disappear U.S. citizens
The former transportation secretary has serious concerns about the president's authoritarian actions.
April 17 2025 5:59 PM
Trump and El Salvador's president attack transgender people during White House meeting
The leaders attacked trans women in sports while ignoring court orders to return a wrongly deported Maryland man.
April 14 2025 2:28 PM
Fox News hosts mock 'innocent' deported gay asylum-seeker & downplay torture reports from Salvadoran mega-prison
“Come on. It’s just a gay barber,” Jesse Watters said.
April 02 2025 1:37 PM
Transgender Woman Murdered in El Salvador's Epidemic of Violence
Activists say police and other officials are reluctant to investigate any anti-LGBTQ crimes.
October 31 2019 6:42 PM
A Trans Asylum Seeker Died in ICE Custody on First Day of Pride
Her death comes more than a year after Roxsana Hernandez's passing under controversial circumstances.
June 03 2019 6:00 AM